It's been such a long wait. I feel like it's been a year since the last time the Horns played. So here it is. The Rose Bowl. It's all too familiar. We have been there last year. Vince Young told reporters that "we'll be back!" with a less masculine tone. Sure, we are back.

Before analyzing this game, one final part of the football team I have yet to touch on. The special team is as important as offense and defense. Usually the special team is the most unpredictable. This is exactly why having a good special team is important. In a close game like this, it can very well be the special teams that will decide the game. Take last year for example, the game was decided by a field goal by Dusty Mangum. This year David Pino is the kicker. His only weakness shown all year is extra point, otherwise he is quite dependable. However, extra point could decide a close ball game, just ask Miami and Florida State.

Kick and punt return have not been the strength of the team with Aaron Ross and Ramonce Taylor. However, our kick and punt coverage have improved a lot this year. The poor kick return coverage was giving up good field positions to Michigan last year in the Rose Bowl to an average of around 35 yard line. This department saw improvement this year. Reggie Bush is USC's kick returner. So this group better do a good job of not letting Bush run loose.

Punt blocking is an amazing success this year with free safety Michael Griffin. He has blocked four punts this year. Again, in a close game, special team plays can decide a ball game. Blocking a punt will definitely give us a great field position, if not a score. USC rarely punts this season since they don't have to. Their punt unit maybe rusty and inexperienced. Here is a great chance for Michael Griffin to shine (through the line of scrimmage, literally).

The key of the ball game is definitely Vince Young.